Candy Apple 12

If I can keep my MIL from saying anything, I may be able to do that. Hubby and I will be platinum for the first time on this cruise, but in-laws are gold and my mom is bronze. My mom knows that we are in a 2 bedroom, but I don’t think she knows about the Haven. Maybe I can use that to my advantage. Maybe she’ll think the Haven is just a priority waiting area? The last two cruises Gian, the concierge, gave his Haven spiel while we were in the Haven terminal waiting area due to the delay in embarkation. For those of you who’ve had a normal embarkation time, does this spiel usually happen once you’re escorted up to the Haven? If so, that would make it quite a nice surprise.

Wow, private security! Big upgrade from both Seattle and LA. The waiting area, should we be so unfortunate as to have to wait until noon yet again, looks much more comfy than the one in LA. Thank you, both!

@cruiseny4life Just double checking my understanding of your post about Miami embarkation, there is someone outside the terminal with a Haven sign? If so, I assume you drop off luggage with the porters first and then head to the terminal area? I’m cruising with my husband, my mom, and my in-laws, and I’d like to be prepared. My mom has never been in the Haven, and I’m trying to keep it a surprise for her. It’ll be her first cruise since my dad died a few months ago. My in-laws have done the Haven, so I’ll make sure they don’t ruin the surprise. I’m trying to figure out the best way to surprise her on embarkation day.

What makes Miami one of the best? I know it’s a new terminal. Seattle—May 2022. Bliss. This was our first Haven experience. We arrived at the terminal shortly after 9 AM. A line was already forming outside the terminal. There was no one with a Haven sign outside. Unfortunately, the cruise before us had a norovirus outbreak, and someone handed everyone in line a letter explaining that we could choose to delay our trip due to the outbreak. We went through the same security process as everyone else and then headed upstairs to the separate Haven check in area which was on the right. There were no snacks for us and we didn’t board until just after 12 noon. Check in area: Seating area (it was packed at one point with people sitting on the floor): LA—April 2023. Bliss. We arrived at the terminal just after 10. There was hardly any line for security so we breezed right through it. As soon as we entered the main building (security was outside the main building in a tent-like building), there was someone with a Haven sign who walked us back to the Haven check in area. Check in was very quick but we still had to wait until close to noon to board because the Coast Guard decided to do their inspection. I guess they had nothing better to do on Easter morning! There were snacks and drinks available. Shortly after security (You can see the person holding the priority access sign. There was also a person holding a Haven sign. At the Haven check-in spot, there was someone checking off your name against the list of people in the Haven): The view into the Haven waiting area, separated from the general waiting area by the movable white dividers: From inside the very crowded haven waiting area: I’d love info and pictures from the Miami and Orlando terminals because those are the embarkation ports for my next two Haven cruises. I’m really hoping the third time is the charm for the next cruise, and we can actually board before noon!

I’m my family’s “travel agent” also. I just wish I could get the travel agent commission!

We will finally have platinum status on our upcoming cruise. Before I book the dinners I have a few questions. This is the fine print from NCL’s website: “Benefit is available on sailings 5 days or longer, and entitles each guest to an appetizer, one entrée and dessert of choice. Upcharges apply to certain premium menu items; Raw Bar Seafood Platter is not included. Bottle of Wine offered in all venues offering Complimentary Wine list, Palomar not included. In à la carte restaurants, coupon can be redeemed for 4 menu items per person (Sushi, Wasabi, Nama, Teppanyaki, Hasuki, Food Republic, Pincho Tapas Bar or Raw Bar). Additional entrées will incur supplemental charges. Dinner coupons are non-transferrable. Solo guests cannot claim two dinners. Coupons can’t be used for the same venue twice. 2 guests maximum. Dining options vary by ship.” There will be two platinum members in one stateroom. I assume that we get two coupons (one with wine and one without)? From the website: Dinner for Two with a Bottle of Wine6(per stateroom) Dinner for Two6(per stateroom) We will be traveling with a total of five people (only two are platinum). Can we take both coupons to the same restaurant at the same time to cover four of us and have the fifth person buy à la carte or using a SDP dining credit? We don’t plan on using it in any of the à la carte restaurants mentioned in the fine print. Which venues offer the complimentary wine list? It would be nice if they mentioned that in their fine print. The restaurants we will likely choose are Texas Smokehouse, Cagney’s, Le Bistro, and Ocean Blue. Thank you!

Thanks so much for pointing this out! It’s so annoying that they stopped making it easy to see the taxes and fees when doing a mock booking. Not only did NCL decide to observe truth in advertising by including taxes, fees, and port expenses in fine print, but they decided to do it in grey type on a grey background!

My favorite way to spend time on a sea day is in the Horizon lounge on the Bliss. I’ve done two Haven cruises on the Bliss, and your comment has me daydreaming about relaxing on the comfy lounge beds, gazing out the front, while enjoying the rocking of the ship.

Thanks to all who replied. My cruise had another price drop, so I called my TA today. She was not in the office today due to taking a long holiday break, but one of her partners got the price drop for me. Now, to start planning another cruise with the money I’m saving…

I’ve never seen a sign for Haven upon returning to the ship, but on future cruises I’ll be sure to ask before getting off.

Thanks for the advice. I will keep it in mind if need to find a new TA. I agree with you that it’s frustrating not to be able to openly discuss our experiences with TA’s here. I have an Escape cruise in February, or I’d be joining you on the Prima!!

If there’s another price drop, I will ask my TA to reprice both rooms. If she balks, you’ll have to let me know which cruise you’re taking next so I can book it and find out who your TA is so I can switch TA’s!

Thanks for the great TR and nice photos!

Is the shuttle process quick, or are you waiting a while before it fills up to take you to the terminal or back to the lot? Do you think the princess with Park Port Canaveral is quicker, or just less hassle?

Nice! What itinerary was this? Just curious since this was a March cruise. Was it during spring break, or was it the first week of March right before the spring break prices really hit?

Well this time I lost the double latitude points, but I’m saving $1000, as are my in-laws, so it’s well worth it. I just checked the invoice, and it’s the same reservation number, so not really a cancel and rebook.

I’m wondering if this is the case. I’ve been with the same travel agency for over 15 years, but my original TA retired a year and a half ago, and I really miss her.

I repriced my cruise today (before final payment), and my TA emailed me stating, “They said we are only able to reprice the booking once.” I still have some time before final payment, so I was planning on continuing to check for price drops. I thought that you could reprice before final payment multiple times. Does anyone have any experience with multiple price drops before final payment? Thank you!

Being rocked to sleep 😴

What do you mean by giving benefits across the NCLH brands?

What about a Haven spa suite? Category H9.

Maybe shoreside concierge can help with this? I’ve heard they can be hit or miss, but maybe it’s worth a call or email?

Yes! Thank you!

Link?

Do you recall if there was a separate entrance for Haven? What was your recent experience?